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Monday, June 4, 2012

Review: Elemental Science, Biology Logic Stage {and Giveaway!}

Confession Time

I have become extraordinarily lazy about teaching science. It's ridiculous, I know. One of the reasons we started homeschooling in the first place was because our older son's public school experience was severely lacking in science education. And my husband teaching biology at a large university, for Pete's sake!

I did so much science with my firstborn; I am sure he read through every single science book on our well-stocked bookshelves dozens of times. Then the other two kids came along, and I slacked off. I have relied heavily on the science classes that are offered through our co-op's enrichment class program.

First of all, let me say that I won't review just any homeschool product that comes along. When I am offered a chance to review a product, I look at the website first to determine if it is something I will actually use in our homeschooling.

I knew as soon as I downloaded sample pages that I may have actually found the science program for which I'd been searching. Biology for the Logic Stage is a 36-week study of plants, animal life, and the human body, geared toward 5th and 6th graders. The package (available via e-book or printed version) includes an easy-to-follow teacher's guide (with 2-day/week or 5-day/week options) and a student's guide.

My Experience with Elemental Science {Thus Far}

First of all, I loved author Paige Hudson's introduction and how-to-use pages. Here is an example (click for a bigger picture) of how clear and concise the instructions are (anything that promises something "in a nutshell" is appealing to me!):

Hudson provides ample flexibility in the teacher's guide. For example, she suggests ways to make this work with older and younger students, to match ability to writing requirements, and to study a topic in a broader context, such as with biographies of scientists.

Both are lovely, fat books. As soon as I opened the box and put the books on the coffee table, my older two kids (14 and 19) grabbed them up. Reading assignments are given from both books with nearly every lesson, so I knew I'd need to buy them rather than borrow from the library. The text in both is in short segments with plenty of pictures and diagrams.

Hudson's list of materials in clearly laid out. One of the things
I loved about Sonlight's elementary science program is that one could buy the box of supplies
that were needed. An experiment kit with "all the hard to
find or difficult to get materials
for the experiments" is also an option with Biology for the Logic Stage. Because I am a terribly last-minute person, I will most likely go ahead and order this kit; however, if you would rather gather your own supplies, the necessary materials are clearly indicated for each lesson.

Although we are now on summer break, I decided to go ahead and try out the program with Duncan. We started in Week 6 with Mold and Fungi because, well, what 11-year-old doesn't want to grow mold? Here is a shot of the 2-day/week lesson plan:

And Duncan preparing his experiment:

Each day Duncan observes his bread and records any changes in his student notebook. He knows what's going to happen, of course. Moldy bread is practically a staple in our kitchen. But how much more fun it is for him to actually observe it and watch the changes, rather than announcing, "MOM! The bread is moldy!"

What I Love {So Far} About Elemental Science

1. I can't emphasize this enough: the program is well organized and easy to navigate.

2. The science is good, solid science. Hudson is a good writer, and the two spines that go along with the program are colorful, detailed, and easy-to-read and absorb.

3. Hudson doesn't shove religion into science. As she explains, “although I am a Christian, I have tried
to write Elemental Science as non-sectarian. I have done my best to write each
program in a manner that focuses on the science being studied instead of a
person’s religious viewpoint.” The "science being studied"—hurray!! I am so happy for a program that doesn't try to squeeze Bible verses in everywhere just to make a point.

4. The program is flexible. You can do with it as much or as little as you wish, depending on your own schedule.

Please remember to leave a comment for each entry! Giveaway
will close on Thursday night, June 7, at midnight. The winner will have
two days (until midnight on June 9) to reply. Make sure you
include your valid email address with your comments!

**Legal disclosure: No purchase necessary to enter or win. I received this product for free and will be compensated for the review; however, I was not required to present a positive review and the opinions are my own. The review was arranged by iHomeschoolNetwork.com.

...and I checked out the website and we could use the Biology for the Logic Stage, but I was super excited to see the upcoming History of Biologist. This year we went through the history of the periodic table and had a blast with it.

Very helpful review. I was planning on using a science textbook that we have (that I consider rather boring) with Hannah this year, but you've got me reconsidering. If I am the lucky winner of the Bio curriculum, I'll gladly use it. If not, I'm considering the logic stage Earth Science and Astronomy.

Thanks for the review. You've got me reconsidering what to do with my rising 6th grader. I'm considering either the Biology you reviewed (especially if I win it) or the logic level Earth Science and Astronomy.

Between your great review and actually seeing some of Jane's books in person I am leaning more toward this for a science curriculum because I need "easy to navigate" when it comes to science. Like Sonlight, it does have those great books to stock our shelves and the science kit that helps the procrastinators out there (me!). Thanks for the chance to win! I think we would start with Biology for the Grammar stage.

We are currently using their Intro to Science program for my oldest 2 (6 &4). We are all loving it. It's very well-written and uncomplicated. I am thrilled to know they have more curriculum available for the older ages.

I would love to try out a new science program for next year. We have gone through so many and have never found one that we like. This year we did our own inquiry based science and loved it, but it was VERY time consuming for me. I'd like to find a curriculum I can use and then wing it on days when we have time. I'm checking out their website now.

I just heard about this science program this year and I have also been very interested in it. The organization seems just right, and I would really like to try it. I don't use Twitter, but I follow Elemental science on Facebook and subscribed to the blog, does that count? Pick me, pick me!

This is an interesting program! I love the way it breaks down the weeks into 2 day and 5 day programs. Easy at a glance supply list! After looking at their site, I'd pick between Earth Science/Astronomy Logic or the Biology Logic stage.

Oh I really hope I win. . .I never win these type of things. . .oh please, oh please pick me! My entire homeschooling success may depend on this win. Okay, sorry. . .I was in one of those moods! Great review!!

Just read your review of Elemental Science and also ventured to their website for more information. We will be homeschooling for the 1st time in the fall. I was wondering what to do with a 5 year old that loves science experiments. I think I may have just found what I am looking for.

I've been drooling over this program on their website! Thanks for a thorough review that confirms my speculations!I'd love to win Biology for the Logic Stage, as my daughter will be in 6th this coming fall.

Just checked out their website. I am most interested in the "History of..." series because we're planning on making a history of science timeline this next year. My email address is kellysowell at sbcglobal dot net. Awesome giveaway - thanks!!

My five year olds will begin homeschooling in the fall and we'd love to try Elemental Science. The Earth Science looks great, but really all of the subjects look great! We'd love to win this! My email is csamples2 at charter . net

I am considering this program for my 5th grader next fall. I love that it's affordable, and follows the WTM. I considered putting things together for myself, and then I found this. It would be SO much easier this way! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I love being able to see what other families are doing :)

This was a great review. We are currently using Intro to Science and Biology for the Grammar Stage with my youngest too. My oldest will be using Biology for the Logic Stage this coming Fall. All of Paige's programs are great. They have made learning and teaching science so much fun.

Oh, I have been doing end of the year testing with my girls this week and haven't turned on the computer. I am so sad to have missed out on such an awesome giveaway! My oldest will be in 5th grade next year and that science program looks great!